Jenan Mohajir

Vice President of External Affairs

In her role, Jenan Mohajir focuses on building strategic relationships and programs with new partners across IA’s emerging sectors. Inspired by faith and family to work for change at the intersections of gender, sexuality, race, and religion, Jenan has served in leadership IA for 15 years where she as has trained hundreds of interfaith leaders from diverse backgrounds to foster a vision and practice of civically engaged interfaith leadership. Jenan completed undergraduate work at DePaul University and is pursuing her MA in religious studies at Chicago Theological Seminary. As a natural storyteller, she performs with 2nd Story, Chicago’s premier storytelling company. Jenan proudly lives on the south side of Chicago with her children and loves to collect vintage children’s books.

Jenan Mohajir's Headshot

Work with Jenan

Jenan is available for speaking engagements, podcast interviews, op-ed contributions, tv/media commentary, and joint event keynotes with Rebecca Russo.

President Obama with Interfaith America's Vice President of Higher Education Strategy, Rebecca Russo, and Vice President of External Affairs, Jenan Mohajir, during the 2024 Democracy Forum on Dec. 5, 2024, in Chicago. Photo courtesy of The Obama Foundation.

Areas of Expertise

  • Religious Inclusion in the Workplace
  • Interfaith Dialogue & Storytelling
  • Faith & Civic Life
  • Bridgebuilding & Community Development
  • Combatting Discrimination & Prejudice
  • Collaboration Across Difference
  • Philanthropy & Fundraising

Latest from Jenan

In addition to writing for IA Today, Jenan has written on pluralism in outlets including Religion News Service and USA Today.

Podcast Highlight

If you’ve ever wondered what bridgebuilding looks like, look no further than Jenan Mohajir and Rebecca Russo. Just two weeks after the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7th and the subsequent Israeli bombing and invasion of Gaza, Jenan – who is Muslim and the mother of three beautiful Palestinian children – and Rebecca – who is Jewish and has multiple personal and familial connections to Israel (and is also the mother of three beautiful children) – came together to publish an op-ed insisting on “the importance of seeing each other and each other’s people as fully human.” In this episode, they tackle tough questions about what it means to be Zionist, pro-Palestinian, a committed partisan, and an unwavering bridgebuilder.

Keynote Highlight

The language we use, and how we treat one another, matters deeply. When confronted with words or behaviors that are harmful, how can we best respond? Courageous Conversations welcomed Jenan Mohajir, Senior Director of Special Projects for Interfaith America, for an interactive practice session. Inspired by her faith and family to work for change at the intersections of gender, sexuality, race, and religion, Jenan has served in leadership at IA for 15 years where she has trained hundreds of interfaith leaders from diverse backgrounds to foster a vision and practice of civically engaged interfaith leadership. Hosted by Rev. Dr. Zina Jacque and Jessica Green and produced by Urban Consulate at Barrington’s White House. Filmed by JP Leong of Afrochine. (March 8, 2023)

Work with Jenan

Reach Out

Jenan is available for speaking engagements, podcast interviews, op-ed contributions, tv/media commentary, and joint event keynotes with Rebecca Russo.

Contact Us

Please contact us to speak or work with Jenan.

Hannah Snoeyink

Executive Assistant

Interfaith America

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